Cassidy completes first season as pro hockey referee

Kevin Cassidy, a 2006 graduate of New Prague High School and former Trojan hockey player, recently completed his first full season as an on-ice official in professional hockey.

Cassidy was a referee for the Central Hockey League, (CHL) and was based in Texas. He had worked the previous year in the North American Hockey League, a junior amateur league, and had filled in some games in the CHL. This was his first full-year contract with the CHL, and he also was called up to work some games in the American Hockey League.

One of the highlights of the season was the opportunity to referee a scrimmage between the NHL Dallas Stars and their AHL affiliate. That came in February, just after the NHL lockout ended and teams were preparing for the shortened season.

Cassidy was one of seven officials - four referees and three linesmen, who were chosen to work the CHL's Ray Miron Cup championship series between the Allen (TX) Americans and the Wichita (KS) Thunder.

Cassidy was a goaltender for the Trojan boys hockey team for three seasons and attended St. Cloud State University. He is the son of Scott and Joyce Cassidy of New Prague.